''I think things are going a lot better for this summer than they were last summer,'' she said. ''I think that Mark deserves a lot of credit for that because he raised the stakes and helped get the public pressure on an issue that wasn't getting the attention that it needed.''

Farmer's resignation came as city officials outlined plans for dealing with bears this summer. The effort will include a public education campaign with ads and informational pamphlets, revised rules of engagement and a new community service officer in the Juneau Police Department to deal with bears and garbage.

Code revisions, an effort to replace plastic Dumpster lids and more bear traps also are on the radar, staff members said.

City Manager Dave Palmer told Assembly members to expect a funding request for bears in the weeks ahead. An ad campaign likely would cost $12,000 and bear traps could run $800 to $1,000 each, he said.

''We didn't have bears in the budget this year. We'll have bears in the budget next year,'' he said.

Assembly member Jim Powell said he wants to see prevention emphasized with a focus on metal Dumpster lids.

''The lids are a key thing,'' he said. ''Let's put a lid on this bear issue.''

Palmer said the city is ordering metal lids for its Dumpsters.

Assembly member Dale Anderson asked his colleagues to purchase two new traps to relocate bears. He said the Alaska Department of Fish and Game needs to have bear traps available in Juneau.

''This situation with bears is serious. I'm tired of these arguments over and over and over,'' he said. I want traps available for the first bears that come out.''

The Assembly last summer approved an ordinance that tightens restrictions on garbage in an effort to protect bears. Under the law, trash cannot be left outside overnight unless it is in a bear-resistant container.